Ndagijimana Israel

Ndagijimana Israel brings a rich, intergenerational craft to the hills of Kivu, having brought his woodcarving expertise to the community in 2010 to fill a vital local need.

Taught by his father, Israel carries forward a proud heritage of Rwandan woodworking, shaping raw materials into meaningful pieces while actively navigating modern environmental shifts like deforestation. To support his craft, he also brews traditional sorghum and banana beers, staples of Rwandan hospitality.

For travelers, an encounter with Israel offers a vibrant double-feature of living culture. Visitors can observe the delicate artistry of ancestral woodcarving firsthand, learn about modern conservation challenges directly from a local artisan, and sample authentic, locally crafted beverages straight from the source.